Charity demands EPC C targets as soon as possible but landlords struggle in accessing grants and high costs
12 months ago | 15 comments
What happens to tenants in 2030 if the property is not up to a “c” on the EPC?
12:02 AM, 22nd April 2025, 12 months ago
14
I have a block of 6 flats in a Victorian property in a conservation area and all of the tenants are on Universal Credit + some PIP payments. The majority of the tenants have been with me for 10 years plus and do not want the hassle and upheaval of internal insulation.
The rent charge is currently at LHA and everyone is happy.
What happens between now and 2030 if nothing changes, as all the flats are registered as an “E” on the EPC. Will the government rehouse them all, will there be some sort penalty, is this not against my human rights to be forced into spending 60/80k?
Thanks,
Matthew
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Member Since July 2023 - Comments: 179
10:53 AM, 22nd April 2025, About 12 months ago
There is already a clause whereby current tenants can opt out.
Secondly the government started the row back last week with listed properties.
Expect significant ‘fine tuninig’ as we approach 2030.
(Major series of U Turns!)
Member Since February 2022 - Comments: 203
10:53 AM, 22nd April 2025, About 12 months ago
Honestly, no one knows especially the people pushing this cr**. Do nothing we will have a change of government by then, there is no clarity so do nothing untoward and don’t worry about it. Above all did a say do nothing. Yep that it’s LL’s can’t act on speculation.
Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1137
10:59 AM, 22nd April 2025, About 12 months ago
Change of Govt by then and the policy either scrapped or kicked into the long grass.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3508 - Articles: 5
11:15 AM, 22nd April 2025, About 12 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Jim K at 22/04/2025 – 10:53
really ? Where did you read this or find this out?
Member Since May 2023 - Comments: 2
12:01 PM, 22nd April 2025, About 12 months ago
Jim K
I am sure you are right, where can I find the text tenants can sign and opt out of EPC rating on their property? Is this for listed buildings only?
Member Since January 2025 - Comments: 4
1:08 PM, 22nd April 2025, About 12 months ago
I’m in the exactly the same situation. My tenants are council tenants (supposed to be temporary housing….but 8 years later!)
My epc is D and I keep being rejected for the grants.
I’m happy with the tenants, they are happy too.
I’m intrigued you say existing tenants can opt out???? I haven’t read that.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3508 - Articles: 5
1:25 PM, 22nd April 2025, About 12 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Lewis Ellsum at 22/04/2025 – 13:08
its not an ‘opt out’. Tenants themselves just need to sign something to say they do not want the work carried out – then you can apply for an exemption for up to 5 years. If they move out before the 5 years exemption is up then you will have to carry out the work before you can let again.
The way its going there wont be anywhere else for the existing tenant to rent even if they wanted to leave, so just keep the rent slightly under market rate and you essentially have a tenant for life. The 5 year exemption can be reapplied for if same tenant stays put and again refuses to have any work carried out.
Member Since January 2025 - Comments: 4
1:30 PM, 22nd April 2025, About 12 months ago
So if I said I wanted to do the work they can refuse there and then….. or did I have book the contractor and they refuse to let them in?
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1435 - Articles: 1
2:31 PM, 22nd April 2025, About 12 months ago
I asked this a few months back. I also asked my MP who said no one knows.
Bl**dy wonderful.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
2:31 PM, 22nd April 2025, About 12 months ago
A tenant can ‘opt out’ from having EPC work done by refusing it. This is the cop out for landlords, the landlord could say that if the tenant wanted the work done they would have to leave. The tenant could then write a letter to the landlord to refuse the work. The landlord would then either have to evict the tenant to get the work done OR — register an exemption on the ground the tenant has refused the work. This is registered in the PRS Exemptions Register.
Google PRS EXEMPTIONS REGISTER and look at the Gov.uk entry